Wadsworth, 37, retired after the 2003 season following a nine-year career in which he was renowned for his intensity and determination. He shifted to team adventure sports for two years and worked with the ski team last season as a waxing technician at World Cup races in Canada before Christmas and then with the U.S. team during the Olympics in Italy in February.

“I hired Justin because of the work he can do with athletes while they’re training. I’ve watched him in training with Beckie [Olympic champion Beckie Scott of Canada, his wife] and others, and he’s right there with them. He can monitor intensity and technique,” Vordenberg said. In addition to his cross-country background, Wadsworth has trained mountain bike and road cyclists “and he’s had success there, too.

“You add what Justin gives to us with what our Sports Science Department has been providing for us, and it’s unbeatable. Our goal is to be the fittest team in the world,” Vordenberg said, “and this is another reason we’re going to make it. I’m super excited to have Justin joining us.”

Wadsworth won four U.S. cross-country championships during his nine-year career and raced in six World Championships in addition to his Olympics. He and Vordenberg were teammates on the 1994 Olympic team in Lillehammer, Norway, and Wadsworth was a key member of the men’s 4×10-kilometer relay team which finished fifth in 2002, the highest U.S. men’s Olympic relay result in history.